Measurements of the thermodynamic performance of a gas turbine cogeneration system

Measurements have been taken on a gas turbine cogeneration topping cycle located at the University of California at Davis. These measurements have been used to calculate a number of important thermodynamic performance parameters (or figures-or-merit) for this plant. These parameters include the steam efficiency, the electric efficiency, the net heat rate, the power to heat ratio and the fuel savings rate. This paper describes this cogeneration plant (which is typical of gas turbine topping cycles) and the measurement techniques used to determine each of the measurands necessary to characterize the thermodynamic performance. The above parameters are then defined and calculated from a set of these measurements. The results demonstrate the thermodynamic advantages of cogeneration and provide a set of actual performance parameters which can be compared to results from computer models of cogeneration systems. Validation of predictions by computer models is needed if they are to be used in the design and selection of cogeneration systems.